Amber Kraus Siegel: UEP Thesis Award Honorable Mention, 2024
The Art of Science Communication: A Framework for Assessing the Efficacy of Learning Outcomes Conveyed via PangeaSeed’s Public Murals in Boston, MA
Advisor Kate Davies
This thesis is an exceptional example of an interdisciplinary, co-designed masters research project. The project, conducted in partnership with PangeaSeed (PS), an arts-science communication organization, utilizes a series of qualitative methods (literature review, analysis of existing evaluation frameworks, and iterative co-design sessions), to develop a novel framework to assess the learning outcomes associated with art-based science communication projects focused on climate change. The work addresses a persistent gap in theory and practice; while art-science communication is often touted as a promising tool for educating, inspiring and motivating audiences, there is a lack of evidence in terms of cognitive, affective and behavioral impacts. The Art-SE Framework developed in this thesis addresses this gap, providing robust user-facing evaluation materials, along with survey materials for data collection. While the materials were developed with the project partner in mind, they could easily be adapted to support other art-science evaluation needs. The application of these tools could bolster a greater understanding of how art-science communication contributes to pro-environmental behaviors, and equip practitioners with more dynamic and accessible ways to address climate issues.
Abstract
Art-based science communication provides a promising tool for educating, inspiring and motivating audiences regarding climate change and its associated risks. As research has found, current science-communication approaches have been largely ineffective, with information failing to translate from science practitioners to the general public. This is largely attributed to the inherent complexity of scientific data, the inaccessibility of the materials, and the fact that individuals learn differently. In the interest of broadening the reach of scientific information, communication methodologies must be innovated. Art-science communication provides a promising medium through which scientific data can be visually narrated in an accessible manner. Research has shown that climate imagery is particularly effective, due to its ability to connect to viewers on both affective and cognitive levels, inspiring environmental, political and social action. While this creative communication methodology is promising, there is a lack of measured evidence in terms of cognitive, affective and behavioral impacts. To address this, and in partnership with PangeaSeed (PS), an arts-science communication organization, a new assessment framework, the Art-SE (Art-Science Evaluation) Framework, was co-developed to assess the learning outcomes disseminated by PS’s public murals. The Art-SE Framework includes user-facing materials for evaluation development and execution, along with survey materials for data collection. While the Art-SE Framework was created with PS in mind, it was developed in a manner that makes it adaptable, supporting use by other art-science practitioners. Ideally, the Art-SE framework will contribute to a more measured understanding of the ways in which art-science communication contributes to proenvironmental behaviors, on both an individual & civic level, equipping practitioners with more dynamic and accessible communication tools for addressing climate issues.